30.08.2026 19:30
As rescue efforts continue following the disaster caused by the capsizing of a passenger ship carrying 267 people off the coast of Kyrenia, the accounts of the survivors have sparked controversy. While the claim that the ship's crew were Pakistani and did not understand Turkish warnings drew attention, it was also alleged that passengers' warnings about water leakage and sea conditions were not heeded.
The investigation into the capsizing of a passenger ship carrying 267 people, which departed from Girne Port in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) en route to Mersin Taşucu, continues. After the disaster, in which 7 people lost their lives and 237 people were rescued, the captain and 7 crew members were taken into custody, while the accounts of passengers regarding the crew drew attention.
"THE CREW WERE PAKISTANI, THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND TURKISH"
İbrahim Canbolat, a passenger who survived the accident, claimed that the crew on the ship were Pakistani and that the passengers' warnings were not heeded.
Canbolat stated that the crew did not understand what was said in Turkish, and claimed that when they noticed the ship was taking on water, they warned the officials, but the necessary intervention was not carried out.
THEY SAID "WE ARE USED TO IT"
According to Canbolat's account, the ship continued on its way despite the passengers' warnings. Canbolat claimed that as the water leakage increased, the officials responded, "We are used to it, this situation is normal," and said that the ship then began to take on water seriously.
The passenger claimed that the officials did not distribute life jackets during the disaster and that some passengers tried to save themselves with their own means.
PASSENGERS WARNED "YOU SHOULDN'T GO IN THIS WEATHER"
Another passenger, Ümit Saygılı, also argued that the sea conditions were unsuitable, and recounted that they warned the personnel both before the ship departed and during the voyage.
Saygılı stated that after the water leaks, the ship tried to turn back, and during this time, the windows burst, water rapidly rushed in, and great panic ensued.
7 CREW MEMBERS DETAINED
Following the accident, 7 crew members were taken into custody along with the ship's captain. In addition to the 7 people who lost their lives in the incident, search and rescue efforts continue to reach the 23 missing people.
The exact cause of the accident will become clear after the ongoing judicial and administrative investigation. The possibility that the ship may have struck an object is also being investigated.